Here are a few approaches to fund Safe Routes:

• Contact your school board to advocate for Safe Routes to School

• Allocate departmental funds (ex. Physical Education) for education programs

• Prioritize PTA funds to apply to walking and biking encouragement programs

• Apply for a CDOT Safe Routes to School grant, which can fund a comprehensive education program at your school. As a project partner, Bicycle Colorado is able to provide technical assistance in grant writing.

Bicycle Colorado resources

• Safety tips: Check out Bicycle Colorado’s walking and biking safety tips handout. 
• Education programs: Our education program guide describes Bicycle Colorado’s education services and programs.
• Learning to ride: Take the pedals off and teach your child to balance and glide on their own with their eyes up. For next steps, check out our bilingual Learn to Ride handout or sign your child up for a Learn to Ride lesson.

Research and funding

• The National Safe Routes to School Partnership and Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center publish helpful research, articles and webinars to support Safe Routes to School programs.
• The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) administers Safe Routes to School funding in Colorado, and provides excellent SRTS background and guidance.
• The Active Living Research hosts some strong research and resources, including these great infographics.

Event resources

• Event ideas: Register your event on the Walk & Bike to School Day website where you can also find tips for promoting the event, including their 50 Walk and Bike Event ideas and certificates and punch cards.
• Supplies: CDOT will send posters, book marks and stickers for your Walk or Bike to School Day events.
• Helmets: Reach out to Bike School and we can put you in touch with organizations that can donate or provide low-cost helmets.

Safety and other ideas

• Walking and biking groups: Way to Go’s Schoolpool program can provide families with an easy way to coordinate carpooling, walking or biking groups. Or take a look at this step-by-step guide from the National Partnership to organize your own system.
• Remote drop-off: Coordinate a drop-off or pick-up point a short distance from school to give students a chance to walk or bike and relieve congestion in the parking lot.
• Crossing guards: Check out these great resources from CDOT to train crossing guards for your school.
• Walk audits: Organize a group of parents, school staff and community members to assess the walkability and bikeability of your school and neighborhood.
• Safe Routes maps: Develop maps for your school to identify and encourage the safest routes.